WalletHub’s rankings use 17 metrics, including volunteer work and percentage of income donated. The wealthiest states are not necessarily at the top of the rankings.
Wyoming is known for its open spaces, natural beauty, majestic mountains, and ancient forests.
However, it is also known for the generosity of its residents.
WalletHub, an online personal finance outlet, recently analyzed philanthropy in all 50 states using 17 metrics, including volunteerism, percentage of income donated, and philanthropy per capita.
Of the five states with the highest household incomes, only Maryland and Colorado made it into the top 10 on the list of most philanthropic states (other wealthy states include California at No. 37, New Jersey at No. 35, Washington at No. 14, and Alaska at No. 12 on WalletHub’s list). Wyoming was followed (in order) by Utah, Maryland, Minnesota, Virginia, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Oregon.
According to WalletHub, the Cowboy State topped the list in part because its residents spend so much time and energy giving back to society. Wyoming residents volunteer an average of about 29 hours a year, the fifth most in the nation. Approximately 34% of residents are volunteers.
But they also have extra pockets, giving away an average of about 4% of their adjusted gross income, the highest percentage in the country. WalletHub reports that more than 40% of Wyoming residents hold fundraisers or sell products and donate the proceeds to charity. The state also focuses on caring for people in need, with the second-highest number of food banks per capita and 82% of the homeless population in shelters.
“The most philanthropic states are not just the places where people give the most,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo wrote. “The proportion of the population that donates money and the proportion of an individual’s income that they are willing to spend to help others are major indicators of how charitable people are.
“Furthermore, many people cannot afford to give as much money, especially due to inflation, but they are willing to donate their time, which is just as important.”
Utah: Top in volunteer work
In Utah, people donate more of their time and talent than anywhere else in the country, with a volunteer rate of about 47% and an average of about 46 hours per year. More than 68% of Utahns say they have helped a friend or neighbor with a babysitting, house-sitting, or equipment loan.
Utahns are also known to donate approximately 3.5% of their adjusted gross income to charity, second only to Wyoming.
Utah topped the list for volunteer work, followed by Vermont. Minnesota and Nebraska tied for third place. Wyoming and Utah led the way in percentage of revenue donated, followed by Arkansas, Georgia, and New York.
The meaning of philanthropy: It’s more than money
Rick Cohen, chief operating officer of the National Council of Nonprofits, said there are factors that influence state philanthropy.
He said large donors could influence the state’s overall donation rate. State-wide income levels can also play a role, which is surprising.
“Those who have received aid in the past are often the most generous because they know how much it means and want to pay it forward,” Cohen said.
North Dakota, Indiana, and Ohio were the top three states for food collection and distribution. Four states are tied for the most charities per capita: Delaware, Vermont, Montana, and Wyoming.
“We’re seeing a lot of donations coming from people who have been beneficiaries even in the last 20 years,” he said. “They know the power of nonprofits. And they know that even if they can’t give $1,000 and only give $10, that $10 still has an impact and the more people give, the more it has an additive effect.”
